unbillable hours

montauk no. 1

The Editor, South Hampton, New York

A few months ago, before the Scientist took a four-month jaunt through the better bars of Central America, he and I, along with a new friend of mine, the Editor (above), took a trip out to Montauk.  We needed a change of scenery, and I felt bored with shooting in New Jersey.  After a while, I think the local loses its interest, at least until I see something I haven't seen before.  Montauk - the trip was inspired by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - was an easy destination.  Just under three hours away by car (well, then; I can't imagine summer traffic), it's part of the beautiful eastern tip of Long Island, which includes the Hamptons.  I shot quite a few rolls there, which I've been saving for "something." 

Today was that something.  I had a rough day at court, and decided that this would be a good release.  So, the next few shots have nothing to do with the present day, but are of a place that jumpstarted my interest in shooting (this year; who knows what it will take next year). 

Faith Pours From Your Walls

Metropolitan Museum of Art
Canon EOS Elan 7ne, ISO 1600

The Gates #4

Central Park,
New York, NY
Canon EOS Rebel 2000, ISO 100; Color Isolation and Removal.

I suppose it's a little silly that I find removing color from isolated sections of pictures (or, vice versa, leaving color in isolated sections of pictures) to be so pleasing.  I really think that this is what Christo saw in his head when he envisioned The Gates.  I can't imagine him being impressed with his orange gates, now no longer up, blending in with the scenery of a vibrant Central Park.  The only possibility, then, is that he saw Central Park as a monochrome palette, either due to snow or a falsely black & white vision of the park. 

The Gates #3

Central Park
New York, NY
Lomo LCA-1, ISO 100

The Gates #2

Central Park
New York, New York

Elsewhere
Joe's NYC has its first anniversary.  His photos kick butt. 

 

The Gates #1

The Gates
Central Park
New York, New York.

Untitled #3

W Hotel (Midtown)
New York, New York

Barbarian at the Gates

...As in Christo's Gates.  I was up in Manhattan this weekend for the Politician's birthday, which was celebrated with much aplomb.  We saw the cheerleader-assisted pop-punk band "Bling Kong" (not even close to safe for work, particularly given the rather... "enthusiastic" advice column therein) at the Mercury Lounge, which may be one of the more surreal live acts I've ever seen.  I highly recommend a viewing, if you get the chance. 

Saturday was spent drinking much coffee and then engaging in a forty block tromp around Central Park to take pictures of The Gates.   I shot three or four rolls there, so I should have something up soon (actually, I've got a few rolls I've been waiting on, (1) because I need to get a new scanner, and (2) because I've been spending every shop class working on developing the new site). 

I don't think Christo, artist behind The Gates, is any sort of genius.  As I said to a fellow tri-state area blawger, I think there's a certain element of "The Music Man" con artistry behind these giant art projects that Christo does, but that works out just fine. 

See, the key thing is not that there was art in Central Park.  There's always art in Central Park, whether it be the sculptures throughout (even some of the playgrounds, like the Safari Park, are art) or the Met or the view of Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim.  The key thing about the Gates?  New Yorkers (and the like) were promenading about the park as though it were the 19th Century.  They We wandered aimlessly (which, I can assure you, is not a normal behavior for New Yorkers).  Strangers chatted (again, rare in privacy-respecting New York) with each other. 

The art itself was pleasant, unassuming stuff.  The Gates remind me of Shinto arches, and have a moderate height (the enormity of the project comes from the miles and miles of the park covered in these orange nylon-and-steel archways).  I don't know how well my pictures will come out, as they are just big enough and (strangely) unevenly spaced out, so that a multiple gate shot is not always uniform. 

Untitled #2

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York

This one is an example of of a "tinted" shot.  I photoshopped this one pretty extensively to give the marble a somewhat pure aspect. 

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York